Speaking on St Patrick's Day, Prince Charles spoke about the murder of Lord Mountbatten, who was killed by an IRA bomb on a boat at Mullaghmore, Co Sligo.

"Back in 1979, my dearly-loved great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, died in a horrific bomb attack in Ireland, along with his grandson, my godson, and others who were with him in his boat," he said.

"I feel, therefore, that I have at least some understanding, through my own experience, of the heart-rending anguish that so many families in this region, of whatever nationality, race or religion, have experienced through the loss of loved ones.

"But after many years of reflection and, indeed, despair at the pointless cruelty and destruction we witness around the world, my own conclusion is this - that only reconciliation offers the assurance that our children and grandchildren will not suffer the same agonies as our generation."

Prince Charles gave the speech at a reception hosted by the speaker of the Serbian parliament, Maja Gojkovic, in Belgrade. The event was held to celebrate British women on the Serbian front line in World War One, and the relationship between the UK and Serbia.

Ahead of the evening reception, crowds gathered as the Prince and Duchess of Cornwall made a number of stops, beginning the day at a cultural market in Novi Sad.